The Arte Laguna Prize, one of the world’s most prestigious contemporary art competitions, has launched its first-ever Asian edition in Shanghai, showcasing over 120 works from global and Chinese artists at the city’s revitalized EKA Tianwu cultural hub.
Established in 2006, the Arte Laguna Prize is an international competition that embraces multiple disciplines to promote contemporary art.
Over nearly two decades, it has discovered emerging artists from more than 100 countries and regions.
"In Venice, we exhibit at the Arsenale Nord of Venice. That is an old factory where in the past they used to build one ship every day. It was the biggest factory in Europe. So there is this connection between Venice and Shanghai here at EKA," said Laura Gallon, founder of the Arte Laguna Prize.
More than 120 art pieces including paintings, installations, sculptures, and digital art are on display across the venue in Shanghai.
One standout piece is Brazilian artist Gustavo Martini's "30 Seconds". He transforms 30 seconds of phone scrolling into a striking 3-meter-tall physical object, materializing people's digital habits.
"So it's really the idea of materializing the time dedicated to screens, and saying that is not enough. We need to pause, and then we need to reeducate ourselves and learn how to read images again. Honestly, I hope I can stay here and do many more exhibitions in this place." Martini said.
"We've divided the venue into several sections. This is the Visual Art area. All the works you see are gorgeous, with a focus on strong visual impact. We've also set up a dedicated hall for Chinese artists, featuring about 18 artists, most of whom are based in Shanghai," said Huang Yi, curator of the exhibition.
"Chinese artists must go global and embrace the world for art is a common topic that unites all humanity. AI algorithms play a big role in our lives nowadays, yet there's a part deep within the human heart that algorithms can never replace, and that is art," said Du Songru, a Chinese artisit whose works are also on display at the exhibition.
The exhibition is set at EKA Tianwu, a new urban renewal project in the city. The space, originally occupied by the Shanghai Marine Instrument General Factory, and previously the old Pudong Customs Factory dating furthest back to 1869, has been providing platform for modern public art exhibitions, cultural bookstores, creative markets and other leisure activities.
"Industrial heritage bears the traces of a city's development, while art is a spiritual entity that transcends time and space to evoke resonance. We aim to combine these two elements to create a new type of cultural space. This venue has gathered about 20 percent of China's first stores, along with more than 20 percent of regional first stores," said Chen Guoshan, founder and CEO of EKA Tianwu.
World-renowned Arte Laguna Prize makes Asian debut in Shanghai
